The Co-op Travel Consortium is to hold its first in-person conference since 2018.
The consortium, part of The Midcounties Co-operative, has invited more than 130 travel agency members to Sicily next week.
The conference is themed ‘Celebrating 10 Years’ following the consortium’s tenth anniversary in May this year and aims to inspire agents to look ahead to a bright future after surviving some of the toughest trading times during the Covid pandemic.
The three-day event will be held at the Grand Palladium Sicilia Resort & Spa from October 4 until October 7.
The conference features workshops to help members grow their businesses, presented by Travel Marketing Systems founder Steve Rushton, and how to engage with multiple generations of customers and employees, presented by Dr Paul Redmond, while a panel debate will discuss the future of travel.
Headline sponsors at the conference are Jet2Holidays, Co-op Holidays and the Palladium Hotel Group.
Agents will have time to meet suppliers and network and receive business updates from Alison Holmes, head of retailing for The Midcounties Co-operative’s travel business, and Sara Dunham, chief officer for travel and leisure for The Midcounties Co-operative.
Holmes said: “We’re really looking forward to bringing so many of our members together for what promises to be a highly productive three days in beautiful surroundings.
“Our last in-person conference was Cyprus in 2018 and, whilst we’ve held virtual conferences during the pandemic, and smaller in-person gatherings when Covid restrictions were eased, nothing beats having everyone together, especially as this year also marks the 10th birthday of The Co-op Travel Consortium.
“Our agent members are in for fun and informative few days with keynote speakers, top suppliers providing updates and insights, valuable workshops and panel debates, and a boat excursion along the coast of Cefalu to finish.”
As part of The Midcounties Co-operative’s travel business, The Co-op Travel Consortium’s independent travel agent members receive tools and support, including Abta and Atol bonding and access to tactical deals from Midcounties’ operator partners.
Midcounties also has 72 Your Co-op Travel high-street agencies, more than 160 homeworkers, known as Personal Travel Agents, and the tour operator brand Co-op Holidays.